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- Rite Of Christian Initiation Of Adults - The History
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RCIA Co-ordinator
- Michelle Davis
THE History
Of The Rite of Christian Initiation and The RCIA PROGRAM
1st
3rd Centuries
3 essential Elements of Preparation
Time
1. Two pre requisites:
a. Faith in Christ
b. Conversion of Life
Confirmed by witness and their testimonies (sponsors)
2. The formation of catechumens took place through the explanation
of the word of God and it was the task of the community, the community
frequently gathered in prayer and meditation (reflection on the
Word of God in scripture).
3. Sacramental Initiation of catechumens took place over a period
of time and within the community celebration.
Much of today's Rite and process
is taken from this time and process. The preparation for baptism
was a journey marked by two thresholds:
1. Admission to the Catechumenate, which presupposed a
general conversion; accompanied by a willingness to conform to
the Christian way of life.
2. Admission to Baptism, this happened after close examination
of the catechumens' lifestyle and behavior, this relied on testimonies
from witnesses. Great importance was also placed on the periods
of formation that prepared the Candidate.
3. Study of central aspects of faith and some experience of
Christian Life. They spent an average of 3 years being formed
in the Christian Life. (Remember, during this period Christians
were being persecuted for their faith)
4th- 5th
Centuries
The church first experienced tolerance
and then freedom. This period saw a deterioration of the Catechumenate.
Many put off being baptised. The church's response to this was
to introduce a new Catechumenate during the season of Lent
a period of intense and serious catechesis. This short period
was insufficient and so a practice of MYSTAGOGICAL (explanation
reflecting on the mysteries) catechesis was introduced during
the Easter Season.
As the time and preparation was so short and not long enough for
serious formation and real moral conversion, from the 5th century
the Catechumenate gradually disappeared.
5th
15th Centuries
Many Historians put the demise
of the catechumenate down to the practice of infant baptism. Also
in missionary countries, the sheer numbers of adult converts and
the insistence of the Popes that Baptism be celebrated only on
the feasts of Easter and Pentecost.
16th
19th Centuries
Saw the re-emergence of the Catechumenate.
In Latin America Franciscan, Dominican and Augustinian orders
tried to have a Catechumenate of 40 days that included fasting,
catechesis, exorcisms and Scrutinies. This was to counteract mass
baptisms of huge numbers with little or no preparation but this
practice was not taken up into general practice.
St. Ignatius of Loyola, in India
established Catechumenal houses in which catechumenates gathered
for 3 months baptismal preparation.
During the 17th & 18th centuries
the Catechumenate did not get off the ground, it was not until
Cardinal Lavigerie (in Africa) in the late 18th century do we
see a vigorous attempt to restore the traditional catechumenal
discipline. His teaching had 2 key elements:
1. Preparation carried out in stages each stage marked a
new step. The preparation took place over a period of time in
order that there be assurance of perseverance in the Christian
way of life by the neophyte (new Christian)
2. From these elements he established a period of Postulancy (2yrs)
followed by a period of Catechumenate (2yrs) and finally a major
baptismal retreat. These developments still lacked a proper liturgical
dimension.
20th Century
Vatican 11 and the Rite of
Christian Initiation of Adults.
In April 1962 a decree was
published restoring Baptism in stages. This restoration comprised
of several distinct steps.
In 1969 a second draft was formulated and in January 1972 the
RCIA was formed and promulgated. In 1987 it was revised.
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